Ratification period for Paris Climate Agreement starts

On 22 April 2016, the EU signed the Paris Climate Agreement in a high-level ceremony in New York (US). The agreement was concluded at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in December 2015 and will now be open for signature for one year. On behalf of the EU, the document was signed by the Dutch Minister for the Environment Sharon Dijksma (NL Council Presidency) and EC Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič.

The Paris Agreement sets a milestone in global climate action

20/04/2016

The Paris Agreement will enter into force after ratification from at least 55 countries accounting together for at least 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions. It will then become legally binding for the countries that have ratified it. In March 2016, the European Council underlined that the EU and its member states need to ratify the Paris Agreement as soon as possible and on time so as to be parties as from the date of entry into force.

The Paris Agreement aims at keeping global temperature rise well below 2°C and to make efforts to keep it to 1.5°C (compared to pre-industrial levels). To this end, countries have an obligation to take measures to reduce their emissions. This will be monitored by a review process every five years